Occupancy classification?

[Yankee Chronicler]

I attended a meeting with a friend and his wife last night, and found myself listening to a discussion I wanted to join in on ... but (for once) I restrained myself. I didn't want to give bad advice.

Question: what use and occupancy classification would you assign to an indoor shooting range that's not a commercial enterprise but is a membership benefit of a private shooting club?

Looking through the classifications in IBC Chapter 3, the only classification that seems to fit (but isn't explicitly named) is 303.4, Assembly Group A-3.

Thoughts?

 

[TheCommish]

I would not seperate between private clubs and commercial, they are just different forms of admission. Give that how would you classify a shooting range that was not part of a home?

 

[walker.t]

Looking through the classifications in IBC Chapter 3, the only classification that seems to fit (but isn't explicitly named) is 303.4, Assembly Group A-3.

IBC 2021 commentary on 302.1 actually has an example of a shooting gallery. They said “the most logical classification of the building is Group A-3 Assembly. This classification is based on the fact that the building is used for the congregation of people for recreation.”

The commentary notes that in many regards a shooting gallery is similar to a bowling alley (which is listed in 303.4,) they show two diagrammatic plans, when you see them side by side it’s a good comparison supporting the classification as A-3.

 

[RLGA]

I would say Group A-3 if the occupant load is greater than 49; otherwise, I would consider it a Group B.

For occupant load determination, I only use the area behind the firing line, and use the unconcentrated assembly occupant load factor.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

IBC 2021 commentary on 302.1 actually has an example of a shooting gallery. They said “the most logical classification of the building is Group A-3 Assembly. This classification is based on the fact that the building is used for the congregation of people for recreation.”

The commentary notes that in many regards a shooting gallery is similar to a bowling alley (which is listed in 303.4,) they show two diagrammatic plans, when you see them side by side it’s a good comparison supporting the classification as A-3.

:duh: Dunno why I didn't bother to read the commentary. And, in fact, I had the bowling alley comparison in mind when I settled on A-3 as the most likely candidate.

Thank you for the confirmation.

 

[steveray]

Yep A3 or B if small…like Ron said

 

[Gutt Mcdonald]

Would it not be classified as B if the net area is below 50 persons?

 

[RLGA]

Would it not be classified as B if the net area is below 50 persons?

Yes, that is what I stated in my post (#4).